The Poplarville Hornet Football Team took a 44-14 decision against Columbia Friday Night to mark the end of District and regular season play. The Hornet Defense, which now has not surrendered more than 2 TDs in District play, dominated the Columbia Offense for the entire game. The running game was smothered by the whole front seven and was led by Seniors Turan Smith and Brandon Bullock who led the Hornets with 6 tackles a piece. The Hornet Defense was also very solid against the pass; Junior DJ Travis tallied 2 interceptions and counterpart Aritaeus Johnson picked off 1 Columbia pass. The Hornets now have 13 interceptions on the season as a unit and Aritaeus Johnson has picked off 6 total passes which leads the District. The Poplarville Offense came to work as well racing out to a 30-0 lead in the first half and finishing the game with 44 points. Senior FB Jesse Pernell paced the Hornet Offense with 10 carries 137 yards and 1 TD. Junior FB Roosevelt Raine contributed heavily to the output as well with 101 yards on just 8 carries and 2 TDs. Junior Tailback Austin Bolton reached pay dirt twice in the contest as well. The Hornet Offense now boasts two 1,000 yard rushers on the year as Senior Jesse Pernell and Junior Austin Bolton have cleared that mark. The Hornets will host the #4 seed from District 8-4A the Pass Christian Pirates at 7:00 on Friday at Hornet Field in the 1st Round of the MHSAA State Playoffs.
